The location of minefields [and] mines … shall be recorded: the parties to the conflict shall retain these records and, whenever possible, by mutual agreement, provide for their publication (Weapons Conv., Prot. 2, Art. 7). In the Federal Armed Force the territorial command authorities are responsible for the mining documentation.

The manual adds:

After the cessation of an international armed conflict, the parties to the conflict shall, both among themselves and, where appropriate, with other states or international organizations, exchange information and technical assistance necessary to remove or otherwise render ineffective minefields [and] mines.

Germany, Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts – Manual, DSK VV207320067, edited by The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, VR II 3, August 1992, English translation of ZDv 15/2, HumanitäresVölkerrecht in bewaffnetenKonflikten – Handbuch, August 1992, §§ 417 and 419.

With respect to remotely delivered mines, the manual, quoting Article 5(1) of the 1980 Protocol II to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, provides: “After emplacement their location shall be accurately recorded.”

Germany, Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts – Manual, DSK VV207320067, edited by The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, VR II 3, August 1992, English translation of ZDv 15/2, HumanitäresVölkerrecht in bewaffnetenKonflikten – Handbuch, August 1992, § 413.

In 2010, in reply to a Minor Interpellation in the Bundestag (Lower House of Parliament) entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, Germany’s Federal Government wrote:

13. How does the Federal Government ensure that there are no civilian victims when using anti-vehicle mines that self-deactivate after a period of time?

Which rules of engagement exist on this matter?

The Bundeswehr only has anti-tank mines in its stockpile which only remain active for a certain period of time. …

… [The rules of engagement] state that after their placing, the mines must be measured and documented.

Germany, Lower House of Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Reply by the Federal Government to the Minor Interpellation by Members Agnes Malczack, Dr. Gerhard Schick, Marieluise Beck (Bremen), further Members and the Parliamentary Group BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN, BT-Drs. 17/3185, 5 October 2010, p. 6.